Performance
Score Breakdown
Rafha
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rafha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
54% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rafha's average rent is
60% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Rafha | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $452 | $1,138 | -60% |
| Groceries | $319 | $404 | -21% |
| Utilities | $133 | $194 | -31% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,054 | $2,274 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Rafha | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rafha | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Rafha.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rafha | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rafha is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Rafha is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rafha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rafha | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,175 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.62% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 24.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.04% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $— | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rafha
Advantages
Rafha boasts a significantly lower cost of living, particularly for rent, compared to major Saudi Arabian cities and international averages.
The city is considered calm and safe, contributing to a high sense of security for residents.
The presence of Northern Borders University branches has transformed Rafha into a local educational hub, fostering intellectual and economic growth.
Ongoing government initiatives and projects, including those under Saudi Vision 2030, support local industries like agriculture and tourism, indicating future growth potential.
Healthcare access is robust, with a central hospital offering comprehensive services and ongoing expansion projects to enhance capacity.
Drawbacks
Public transportation within the city is not widely developed, leading to high car dependency.
The city experiences a hot desert climate, which can be challenging for outdoor activities and comfort.
Limited specific data is publicly available for certain economic metrics like median household income and average salaries for Rafha city.
Walkability is low, and long distances are not recommended for walking, especially in the heat.
The remote location and less developed urban infrastructure might limit entertainment and diverse lifestyle options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rafha
#1Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Saudi Arabia
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$452
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.62%
Unemployment
3.04%
Livability
62
Business
60
Binghamton
#93New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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